STDs increased in Utah in 2012

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Health officials say cases of sexually-transmitted diseases have increased in Utah, and they’re trying to spread the message that condoms are the best way to stop it.

The Utah Bureau of Communicable Disease Control says cases of gonorrhea grew by 75 percent to 488 last year. Most cases involved men in their 20s.

Officials say syphilis has a low prevalence in Utah, but cases rose to 43 from 14 the year before. Officials say syphilis cases fluctuate from year to year; in 2010 the number was 65. The cases typically show up in people 20 to 39 years old.

Cases of chlamydia, meanwhile, are on a slow but steady rise, mostly in an age group of 15 to 24.

Utah officials are seeing no significant increase in HIV cases.

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